Moltin, a digital commerce developer, has unveiled a self-checkout technology that allows retailers to operate their own Amazon Go type of operation at pop-up stores and traditional retail outlets, according to a company press release.

The technology currently is in use at a New York City Stance store. Before shopping, customers scan a QR code with their smartphone or enter a short URL on the device. They then scan barcodes on any products they wish to purchase. Once finished shopping, they check out on their smartphone using their preferred payment method — Apple Pay, Google Pay or a credit card.

Moltin has been testing the product with Stance since late 2018, and has also employed it in pop-up stores for the Deckers brand during New York City marathons. The pop-up solution is ideal for sporting events, concerts, trade shows and festivals, the release said.

"The global availability launch that we announced today is a prebuilt solution so that any brand or retailer can take and deploy 'as-is' and does not require any customization," Greg Lord, vice president of marketing at Moltin, told Mobile Payments Today via email. "They simply synch their desired product inventory and they are up and running."

Lord said the tests have shown two important points: Firstly, he said, store signage is important. Store managers need to strike a balance between letting customers know that the self-checkout is available and not getting in the customer's face in a way that intrudes on the store’s own brand; and secondly, the pop-up solution emanated from the fact that different test cases called for different ways to deploy the technology for events.

He stressed that while self-checkout does cut back on some staffing requirements, the goal is not to create a cashless experience without associates working behind a POS counter.

"Rather they are using the self-checkout solution to provide a better customer experience by getting their staff out from behind the counter and engaging with customers on the store floor."